What to Expect When Scheduling Surgery

Scheduling

Your surgeon’s scheduler will arrange with you a day for your procedure. In some cases you may require pre-admission testing and/or an anesthesia evaluation. This may include blood tests and/or EKG – usually done a few days prior to your procedure. Your surgeon’s office will make these arrangements.
Please notify your surgeon if you are experiencing any significant change to your health status or develop a cold/ influenza, bladder infection, diarrhea, or other infection before your surgery.

Please inform the nurse, during your pre-op phone interview, of any medical problems that you may have or any medications you are taking. She will instruct you on which medications that you will need to take the morning of your surgery.

A member of the surgery center nursing staff will contact you two days before your procedure to confirm your scheduled time, review instructions and answer any questions that you may have. Please let your scheduler know the best way to contact you during the day before your surgery.

Please arrange for transportation from the surgery center for the day of your surgery.

Please make arrangements for a responsible adult over 18 to accompany you home. Due to medication and anesthesia from surgery your alertness will be reduced and you are not safe to drive.
Minors under the age of eighteen must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. It is a requirement that the parent or legal guardian be present for the duration of the procedure.
To reach a Surgery Scheduler please call the main Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle number at (206) 633-8100. Press option 1 and then enter in the appropriate extension. If you do not have the extension of your Surgery Scheduler, please press option “0 “for the operator.

Coordination of Benefits and Insurance Coverage

Just like a large hospital or other surgical facility, Seattle Orthopedic Center will submit a bill to your insurance company for facility services provided during your procedure. The facility fees are separate from your surgeon’s professional fees. Your insurance plan may require that you pay a portion of this facility fee.

Prior to surgery, a representative from Seattle Orthopedic Center will verify your insurance benefits. The representative will contact you with an estimated out of pocket cost for your surgery. If there is a patient responsibility associated with your plan, a pre-payment of at least half may be requires at the time of service.

What to Bring

Admissions Policy

The facility staff will make an effort to provide optimal patient care during the admission process. This includes screening of the patient to determine appropriateness of surgical intervention at an ambulatory surgery center. Additionally, this includes ensuring access to surgical services for all patients including low-income, racial and ethnic minorities, handicapped, and other underserved groups.

Cancellation Policy

Seattle Orthopedic Center requires 72 hours prior notification to cancel surgery and not incur a $200.00 fee. 72 hour prior notification is also required for cancellation of injection procedures to not incur a $50.00. We understand that emergencies happen and therefore kindly request that you notify the office as soon as possible of the need to cancel surgery.